Getting your home ready before listing it on the Real Estate Market is crucial. It will be people's first impression of your home, and if done right, your home can sell faster and for more money! These tips may take some time and elbow grease, but they're going to pay off.

Clean & Clear:

De-cluttering and cleaning are a huge part of making your home shine through photos, open houses, and walk-throughs!

1. Dust, vacuum, mop, and clean windows.

2. Clean kitchen sink and put away dishes.

3. Clear kitchen counters; put away any toasters, food processors, knife blocks, etc.

4. Remove magnets and decorations on the fridge.

5. Clear off all bathroom counters and put away personal items.

6. Take out all items in the shower (shampoo, conditioner, etc). Clean any soap buildup and make it sparkle

7. Close all of your toilet seats lids.

8. Hide all of your trash cans.

9. If you have pets, hide all toys, water and food bowls, and pet beds.

10. Make all of the beds, fluff pillows, and tidy your bed skirts.

11. Remove any chargers/cables.

12. Remove any small rugs to reveal flooring.

13. Put away any seasonal holiday decor. This may date your photos.

14. Put away any personal photos; replace with a landscape or object photo.

15. Replace burned out light bulbs with bright soft white. Steer clear of harsh daylight LED bulbs.

Outside:

The outside of the home is the first impression! It’s a good indicator of how well it is maintained. Let’s make it count!

1. Make sure the lawn is trimmed, leaves are raked, and bushes/trees are pruned.

2. Clean up after any of your pets.

3. Put away any garbage cans, hoses, toys, bikes, garden tool, etc.

4. Put away any yard decorations.

5. Close garage doors.

6. Replace any broken or burned out lighting around the landscape or pool.

7. Remove any seasonal/holiday decorations.

8. Open any umbrellas on patio sets.

9. Consider adding color by planting bright flowers in ground or in pots.

10. If snowing, shovel any snow from walkways, driveways, patios, etc.

11. If there is a pool, hot tub, etc., uncover and clean.

12. Uncover any grills.

Right before the photographer arrives/before an Open House/Walk-Through:

There’s just a few final steps to do that will make a lasting impression:

1. Turn on all of the interior lights.

2. Turn off all ceiling fans.

3. Turn off any TVs or computer screens.

4. Light any fireplaces or candles.

5. Open blinds, shades, and curtains.

6. Close all closet doors & rooms not to be photographed.

7. Move all vehicles from driveway and front of the home.

8. Keep animals & people out of areas to be photographed.

9. Hide sensitive documents and items not be included.